On the afternoon of December 19, the negotiations were arguing over the garrison of Andong.

Middle-Turkish forces must be sent to Andong. This is a matter of principle. It represents the actual control of Andong over Andong, the actual inclusion of Andong into the territory of Andong, and the military guarantee for the central government to realize its own intentions in Andong. Otherwise, it would not be a breakthrough, but a new vassal.

What Zhongtu needs to recruit Anton this time is the new territory, rather than accepting a new vassal, but Anton is deliberately blurring the difference between the two. I am not a vassal of Middle-earth, but I am a vassal of Middle-earth. But I want Anton's autonomy and separatist vassal states, but in fact, I want the vassal states that sell dog meat with sheep's title and have complete autonomy, what is the essential difference between a vassal state and an independent vassal state?

For example, the Turks in the East and West paid tribute to Central Earth, and the Western countries, Goguryeo and other foreign captives also bowed to Central Earth. They were nominally all vassals of the Middle Earth, but in fact they were independent and independent. When they asked for money and benefits from Central Earth, they wagged their tails and begged for mercy, but when Central Earth needed their rewards, they ignored them. They were all mothers with milk, and turned aside faster than turning a book.

During a short break, Li Zixiong gathered Yuan An, Yang Gongdao, Wu Yun, and Ashinahanhai together, and expressed his thoughts on the matter of Anton's garrison. This matter must be compromised, but it is impossible not to compromise.

Middle-earth wanted to recruit Andong, and Andong also wanted to join Middle-earth. Middle-earth needed Andong, and Andong even needed Middle-earth even more. Now Middle-earth has made a huge compromise, but this does not mean that Middle-earth has no bottom line. Middle-earth's bottom line is actually very clear. Andong can be a vassal state and can have part of its autonomy, but it is absolutely not allowed to separatist and independent, and it is absolutely not allowed to raise tigers to cause trouble for trouble.

"There is no possibility of compromise in this matter." Yuan An made clear his position without hesitation.

"Our principle is to participate in the Third Eastern Expedition in exchange for Andong's autonomy, that is, obtaining complete Andong's autonomy is our bottom line. If Middle-Turk does not force us by participating in the Third Eastern Expedition and does not use this to curb and weaken us, we may be able to make concessions to a certain extent, but now Middle-Turk has publicly and strongly expressed hostility towards us, wouldn't we compromise and concessions be destroyed?"

Yuan An’s position is Li Fengyun’s position. Although Li Zixiong and Yang Gongdao were willing to make concessions, considering the fundamental interests of Li Fengyun and the grassroots forces in the alliance, the two had to worry about it. After all, the intensification of conflict at this moment is not good for everyone.

The King of Sue He and Ashinahanhai clearly supported Yuan An. Although the two had received a series of promises from Duan Da during their previous meeting with Duan Da, if they wanted to win these promises, first of all, Anton would have to join Zhongtu, and secondly, they had to win Li Fengyun's support, otherwise everything would be empty talk. Therefore, the two saw the overall situation very clearly, stood firmly on Li Fengyun's side, and advanced and retreated with Li Fengyun.

"Since that's the case, how can we break the current deadlock?" Li Zixiong asked, "Although Dongdu has already regarded the need for Andong's army to participate in the third Eastern Expedition as a prerequisite for revenge, the third Eastern Expedition has not yet been made. It is still unknown whether there will be a third Eastern Expedition next year. Therefore, Dongdu's concessions so far are very difficult. We must cherish them, seize the opportunity, and not make progress. Once we miss the opportunity, the result will be counterproductive."

Yuan An said without hesitation, "Dongdu must give Andong complete autonomy. On this basis, Andong can give Andong two options, either send a small number of troops to Andong, representing Andong has been included in the Middle-earth territory, or appoint trustworthy people to serve as the Protector of Andong, and exercising Andong's military and political power on behalf of Andong."

As soon as this statement was made, Li Zixiong and others were immediately revived. Li Fengyun finally gave in. In order to obtain complete autonomy, he was helpless and had no choice but to compromise in Dongdu.

In this two-choice option, it is necessary to send a small number of troops to Andong, but as Yuan An said, if the number of troops stationed is too small, it is a symbolic meaning and can play a role too small. In comparison, if Dongdu appoints a prominent powerful and powerful person to serve as the Protector of Andong, the political influence it brings will be great. However, if he wants to play the greatest role, the candidate of the Protector of Andong must first win the consent and support of Andong. Only in this way can the conflict between the two sides be minimal and the cooperation will be the best. The Protector of Andong will not become a decoration or even a puppet in the fierce power struggle.

Li Zixiong immediately thought of a candidate, Li Hun, Duke of Hui. Li Hun is now the deputy commander of Andong, responsible for managing Andong. If Andong is successfully recruited and successfully incorporated into the Central Earth territory, the envoy of Andong's commander's office will be over. Then, in terms of merit, Li Hun made an important contribution. In addition, his prominent identity and status, he is fully qualified to serve as the Great Protector of Andong. More importantly, once Li Hun becomes the Great Protector of Andong, he can work hand in hand with Li Zixiong, Han Shiye and other alliance aristocratic forces, respond internally and externally, and form a cross-strike against the grassroots forces of the alliance headed by Li Fengyun.

However, Li Zixiong instantly rejected this assumption for no reason. Li Hun was a wealthy family in Longxi and a stadium figure in the Guanlong noble group. He pursued the interests of Guanlong. He was not a member of Li Fengyun at all. His interest demands were completely different. Even if the two sides cooperated, they were based on the common interests of the King of Qi, and they all took their needs. Therefore, Li Fengyun could never give up Anton's benefits.

The second choice that Li Zixiong thought of was Huangtai Duke Cui Hongsheng. Cui Hongsheng was a stadium figure of the Shandong aristocratic group and pursued the interests of Shandong. The grassroots forces of the alliance headed by Li Fengyun also came from Shandong. Both sides had a common interest basis and secretly maintained tacit cooperation. The alliance went north to conquer Anzhou in one fell swoop thanks to the strong support of the wealthy families of Hebei and Youyan. In this negotiation, Cui Hongsheng also performed extra hard and actively promoted, especially the key plan for establishing the Andong Protectorate, which allowed Li Zixiong, who was familiar with the inside story, to see at a glance that there was an extraordinary cooperative relationship between the Cui family and Li Fengyun. It is not difficult to see that Li Fengyun is fulfilling his original promise and sharing the benefits of Andong with the Hebei and Youyan wealthy families of Hebei.

Yang Gongdao hesitated for a moment and asked, "If Dongdu chooses the garrison of Andong, what are our restrictions on the number of garrisons? Two thousand or four thousand, or more?"

Yuan An smiled, "Just wait until all the troops on Feihu's side have left the customs, Andong alone has nearly 100,000 Han troops, plus tens of thousands of enemy soldiers, they are very strong. So what if the Dongdu asks for tens of thousands of troops to be stationed? Of course, we must hide our strength and reduce the size of the army by more than half, and we must do everything to prevent the Dongdu from sending more troops into Andong."

Yang Gongdao asked again, "If the Holy Director appointed his confidant as the Protector of Anton, how can we deal with it?"

Yuan An was confident and waved his hand and said, "Tell Dongdu that if it is someone we are satisfied with, the two sides will cooperate and benefit each other. Otherwise, any unpredictable situation may occur." Dice>

Yang Gongdao hesitated for a moment and asked again, "If Dong is not choosing one of two, but choosing two, he must not only garrison Andong and be in charge of Andong's military and politics, what should we do?"

"That means that Dong doesn't want to give us autonomy." Yuan An sneered, "Since Dong doesn't allow Anton to autonomy, the negotiations cannot continue and will be in a long-term stalemate."

Everyone agreed and never gave up until the goal was achieved. They must seize autonomy.

After a short break, everyone walked towards the main account of the negotiation in the wind and snow. On the way, Li Zixiong weighed the pros and cons, but took the initiative to pull Yuan An to his side and asked in a low voice, "Do you have any intention of Chifeng for the candidate for Anton's Great Protector?"

As the highest military and political chief of Andong, the importance of the Protector of Andong is conceivable. Although Anzhou has made a request to try to get all the main positions of Andong's Protectorate and the Protectorate, it is actually impossible. It is just a lion who opens his gamble to ask for a price everywhere, waiting for the Middle-earth side to repay the money locally. If the result of Zhongtu's admiration for Andong would be to turn those originally notorious and infamous rebels into heroes of Middle-earth, and turn a vicious thief into a noble bureaucrat overnight, and make an unforgivable rebel suddenly restore his innocence and be promoted to the title, who can accept it? The contrast is too great and the impact is too great, and the right and wrong of black and white will be completely subverted. It will not only seriously damage the authority of the Holy Lord and the Central Committee, but also seriously shake the dignity of the law and the foundation of the country.

As the "designer" of the Anton Protectorate, Li Fengyun could not have thought of this. Since he had thought of it, he would inevitably have countermeasures and would do everything possible to protect his victory. Before, because the negotiations had not made breakthrough progress, it was too early to consider this issue, and Li Zixiong did not think too much. Now the two sides have reached an agreement on the Anton Protectorate's Protectorate's Protectorate, and the negotiations are getting closer and closer, so this issue must be considered. After all, it is of great importance and directly related to the interests of our own parties and cannot be neglected.

Yuan An shook his head, "So far, the chief executive has no intention of this crucial candidate."

Li Zixiong's eyes showed doubt.

Yuan An knew that he had misunderstood and hurriedly explained, "I also had some suspicions, so I specially tested Mr. Huang Tai today."

"How?" Li Zixiong asked.

"As expected, Mr. Huang Tai did not dare to get into this muddy water at all." Yuan An said, "Dongdu took Andong's participation in the third Eastern Expedition as a prerequisite for revenge, and publicly expressed his strong hostility towards us. Therefore, it is completely foreseeable that after the Dongdu achieves the revenge goal, he will settle the accounts after the fall. Since we dare to accept this condition, we must use the tricks and leave a backup plan. Therefore, the situation in Andong's future is extremely dangerous. If you are not careful, both sides will be injured and both will be burned. The Protector of Andong is at the forefront of the storm, and if you are not careful, you will be destroyed. Mr. Huang Tai was already standing at the forefront of the storm and is in danger. How dare you jump into the roaring vortex to destroy yourself?"

Li Zixiong nodded slightly. Cui Hongsheng's reaction was as expected. In fact, even if Li Hun was in trouble, he would not dare to stand on the blade and dance. After all, there was still a glimmer of hope to follow the King of Qi, and if you jump into the trap of Anton, you will definitely die.

"But Huang Taigong said something that made me suddenly enlightened and I also had some guesses about the true thoughts of the chief executive."

Yuan An's next sentence immediately aroused Li Zixiong's intense interest, "What did Mr. Huang say?"

"Mr. Huang Tai said that we have too high requirements for the rank of the Anton Protector. The highest is second-rank and the lowest is third-rank. No one can do it except the priest in the current dynasty."

The prime minister of the dynasty? Li Zixiong flashed his spirit, suddenly realized, blurted out, "So that's it, so it's true."
Chapter completed!